Academic Mobility and Cross-Cultural Communication in the Globalised Educational Space

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to examine the problem of academic mobility and the possibilities of intercultural communication in the educational space. The article analyses the benefits and challenges students face when studying abroad and their impact on developing intercultural competencies. The research methodology is based on the theory of social constructivism, which emphasises the importance of social interactions in the formation of knowledge, and on the theory of intercultural communication, which allows for studying the peculiarities of communication between representatives of different cultures. Using a systematic approach, academic mobility is studied as a complex system comprising different elements (students, higher education institutions, programmes, cultural barriers, administrative and legislative procedures); the theoretical analysis allows the use of theories of intercultural communication, globalisation and education to analyse the problems and opportunities associated with academic mobility in the context of the global education space. The scientific novelty of the paper lies in its comprehensive approach to the analysis of educational mobility, covering both theoretical aspects and practical recommendations for improving exchange programmes. The conclusions of the article show that academic mobility is an essential tool for the development of cross-cultural communication and the strategic improvement of the quality of education, as it allows students to develop differentiated skills that meet the social demands of the local, regional and global environment. It is determined that academic mobility is one of the main guidelines for the processes and strategies of scientific and educational cooperation, as well as an essential element of policies for the internationalisation of higher education and international collaboration, but needs to be further improved through financial support, language training and cross-cultural training. A number of recommendations for educational institutions are proposed to improve the conditions for higher education students, which will contribute to economic, social and academic development and increase competitiveness.